Thai cucumber salad is loaded with fresh ingredients with lots of bold flavors and is a great side dish for any meal it only takes a few minutes to throw together.
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Thinly sliced cucumbers tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing along with red onions, peanuts, and cilantro a delicious refreshing side dish. This simple recipe is one of the best ways to use up those garden cucumbers. Pair it with any protein for a refreshing perfect side dish.
Why this recipe works
We love growing cucumbers in the summer and this delicious recipe is a great way to use them. This Thai Cucumber salad recipe is sweet and savory with a touch of spice. It tastes just like what's served at most Thai restaurants. It's an excellent choice for a light lunch or a light side dish to my Slow Cooker Asian Beef Short Ribs or grilled Lemon Soy Sauce Chicken. If you love the freshness in this perfect summer side dish you might also like my Asian Chicken Salad with Peanut Sauce.
Ingredients needed
Ingredient notes
- Cucumber- I prefer to use English cucumbers but Persian cucumbers also work.
- Onions- I use red onions, but sliced green onions also work.
- Honey-Adds a natural sweetness to this cucumber salad recipe but granulated sugar can also be used.
- Limes- Fresh lime juice adds some acidity to the salad.
- Sweet chili sauce-Sweet and spicy staple ingredient in Thai food
- Cilantro-If you hate cilantro you could try fresh mint or Thai basil.
- Peanuts- Slivered almonds can be used instead.
- Red pepper flakes- Or you could add in some sliced red chilis.
How to make this recipe
- Step 1-Place 1/2 of the cucumber slices in a strainer. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt over the top followed by the rest of the cucumbers and salt, let set, then rinse.
- Step 2-In a large bowl add the salad ingredients.
- Step 3-In a small bowl mix together the dressing until combined.
- Step 4-Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until combined.
Recipe tips
- Using a mandoline will get you perfect slices, but a sharp knife will also work, you dont want to slice the cucumbers too thin.
- To get those tiny groves on the side of the cucumber. Use a potato peeler and run a strip down the side then leave a gap of green peel and run the peeler. down the side again. This is an options step.
- You can add in other vegetables like shredded carrots or even red bell peppers.
- Don’t skip salting the cucumbers it helps them stay crisp when tossed with the dressing.
- I prefer English cucumbers but really any kind will work you may just want to remove the center if it’s a seedy cucumber.
- Sprinkle on some sesame seeds before serving for a twist.
Recipe Faq's
A fresh cucumber salad is a deliciously easy side dish with crisp veggies and sweet and tangy dressing with Asian flavors.
I just highly recommend it. It really helps remove the water from the cucumber and keeps this summer salad nice and crisp. I skipped it one time and the salad had so much excess water.
No, you absolutely do not have to use chopped peanuts for this Thai salad. If you don’t the texture of the crunchy peanuts or have an allergy this salad is delicious without them or you could even add some slivered almonds for the added crunch factor.
This Asian cucumber salad recipe is best served fresh, you can make the dressing up to 4 days ahead and store it in the refrigerator and toss it right before serving.
More flavorful main dishes
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Thai Cucumber Salad
Thinly sliced cucumbers tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce along with red onions, peanuts, and cilantro a delicious refreshing side dish.
Ingredients
- 2 English cucumbers, sliced ¼ inch thin
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ red onion halved and sliced ¼ inch thin
- ½ cup peanuts, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoon honey or granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Place 1/2 of the sliced cucumbers in a strainer and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt over them, then place the second layer followed by another teaspoon of salt. Let sit for about 20 minutes, rinse, put on a paper towel, and pat dry. (This step is optional but allows the cucumbers to stay crisp longer.)
- Place the sliced cucumbers, onions, peanuts, and cilantro in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a small bowl add the sweet chili sauce, honey, sesame oil, lime juice, garlic, and red pepper flakes, and mix until combined.
- Pour the sauce over the cucumbers and toss until coated. Add salt to taste.
Notes
I like to use English cucumber because they are fewer seeds. But you can use whatever type you prefer.
Don’t skip salting the cucumbers it helps them stay crisp when tossed with the dressing.
To get those tiny groves on the side of the cucumber. Use a potato peeler and run a strip down the side then leave a gap of green peel and run the peeler. down the side again.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 134Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 0mgSodium 856mgCarbohydrates 17gFiber 2gSugar 13gProtein 4g
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on butteryourbiscuit.com should only be used as a general guideline.
Sounds delicious 🙂
Excellent! I actually used it as a dressing for my mixed greens to which I added the cucumbers, blanched asparagus and sesame seeds. Loved it!
The flavors 🙂
What about this is Thai?
Fantastic Teal, so happy you loved it.
Just tried this recipe and it was delicious!!!!! Made it to go with the Butter Your Biscuit teriyaki chicken and steamed broccoli. Very good together!